BACKGROUND

Vietnam is an economically and socially dynamic country, and interest in biomedical engineering activities has grown considerably in recent years. The traditions, environment, and conditions within the country offer unique opportunities for international community, and the Vietnamese government and university policymakers are aware of the importance of this field for the development of the country. This conference constitutes an international platform to exchange experiences, support and collaborations in research, education and entrepreneurship to address the urgent needs of Vietnam.

HISTORY

In January 2004, under the sponsorship of the U.S. National Science Foundation, a U.S. delegation that consisted of Biomedical Engineering professors from different universities in the United States, visited several universities and research institutions in Vietnam to assess the development of this field. The delegation proposed a five year plan and enthusiastically recommended the U.S. and international scientific communities to actively develop collaborations with Vietnam (for more information: http://www.cs.tufts.edu/~vanvo/VN/Development%20BMEVN.htm)

In this framework, in July 2005, the First International Conference on the Development of Biomedical Engineering in Vietnam was held in Ho Chi Minh City, emphasizing on developing research, education and entrepreneurship in Vietnam. From that conference a Consortium of Vietnam-International Universities was created. It advises and assists the Vietnamese universities in the development of Biomedical Engineering. It is also a magnet to attract Vietnamese descendants from abroad (for more information: http://www.cs.tufts.edu/~vanvo/VN/BME and http://www4.hcmut.edu.vn/~bme/index.html).